Another Demolition: This Time Ga'on Yarden

In the second demolition in one day, police destroy structures in Ga'on Yarden; 5 arrested in connection with this morning's Alei Ayin demolition.

By Gabe Kahn.

First Publish: 6/2/2011, 7:50 PM / Last Update: 6/2/2011, 11:38 PM

Flash 90

Israeli Border Police and Civil Administration authorities Thursday demolished the nascent Ga'on Yarden settlement in the Binyamin region of Samaria, saying several of the buildings were built without obtaining the necessary permits.

It was the second demolition carried out in one day.

Five people were arrested Thursday afternoon in connection with clashes during the violent demolition at Alei Ayin this morning. During the Alei Ayin demolition 6 police officers and five residents were injured, and a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Binyamin Police commander's car, setting it ablaze. It is not known who threw the Molotov cocktail.

"Violent demolition attempts will not stop us and won't weaken us. Our spirit is strong, and we are steadfast in continuing to build the land," the Movement for Building Judea and Samarea said in response to today's demolitions.

Israeli security officials frequently order demolitions carried out in the middle of the night or pre-dawn hours, or on erev Shabbat, as a means of ensuring total surprise – which they feel will keep help from arriving and reduce the use of force during operations.

Injuries among residents in Yesha communities during demolitions and raids, however, are increasingly the norm rather than the exception, and have led some to speculate about the specter of systemic police brutality being employed as political violence against Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria, possibly to elicit violent reactions from the residents which would turn public opinion against them.

A source close the Yesha Council told Israel National News on condition of anonymity, "This has nothing to do with the rule of law and everything to do with [Defense Minister] Barak cowing his political opponents. We won't be cowed."